Literary Analysis Peer Review-Poetry
The importance of a peer review is to improve the effectiveness of the student writer. Inevitably, both the writer and reviewer have something to gain from the exercise. As you know, the most difficult aspect in writing these assignments is whether the writer is conscientious of the message they are delivering. So, the reviewer’s goal is not to evaluate the quality of the paper, but to determine its characteristics, and clarify, for the writer, the message they are delivering. Your response to the writer will be detailed, focusing on the following criteria.
Introduction and Thesis Statement
1. Is the thesis of this essay explicit?
If, yes, please rewrite the thesis in your response.
If, no. Does the essay have an implicit thesis? In your own words, write that below.
2. Does the thesis address all aspects of the prompt?
A. What literary/poetic elements does the writer address in the thesis?
B. What does the writer identify as the main message of the poet? Does the writer’s statement address the complexity of the poem and the prompt?
3. Does the writer use additional information in the introduction? Explain how that information helps you better understand the intent of the essay.
Body paragraphs-This is to be repeated for each paragraph
1. What is the purpose of this paragraph? What evidence do you find that supports your findings. (Hint: if this information is not clearly found in the first sentence, with emphatic presence, then this is a problem).
2. Does this paragraph address the thesis, specifically? Does the analysis address the complexity of the poem? What evidence do you have that would support your findings?
3. How persuasively is the argument supported? Is the analysis of a particular portion of the poem and integrated with commentary of the literary elements (good), or just general pronouncements about the poem as a whole (not so good)? Is there an appropriate amount and use of quotations? Does the writer explain these quotations and why they are supportive of the argument?
4. Does the writer ever summarize or provide unnecessary information. If so, please explain where this takes place in the paragraph.
5. How does the writer transition to the next element of the essay?
Conclusion
1. With what ideas does the writer choose to leave the reader?
2. Does the conclusion adequately support the thesis?
3. How does the conclusion serve to enhance the essay? If it does not, please explain why it does not.
The Overview of the essay, as a whole
1. In a brief statement, explain how the essay is organized? Be sure to comment whether the organization enhances your understanding of the poem and the writer’s argument (and thesis).
2. Does the essay have continuity? Explain how this helped you follow the argument of the essay and better understand the poem.
2A. If continuity is a weakness, explain where the essay seemed to miss out.
3. Please find at least two elements of the paper where you thought the writer performed quite well. This could be an especially well written sentence, effective vocabulary, or especially insightful reasoning and analysis, etc. Please include an explanation as to why they were effective as well as including those elements.
4. Your final note to the writer: Please write a brief note to the writer about their essay.
(see examples)
***Grammar Section-To be marked on the paper if an error exists***
Lesson 1-Comma usage- Two Rules
**Use a comma to set off introductory elements.
1. "Running toward third base, he suddenly realized how stupid he looked."
2. Although we had reviewed the film twice before, we never noticed these details about the shooting.
3. Fortunately, no one in the bridal party was in that car.
**Use a comma + a little conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so) to connect two independent clauses
1. "He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base."